How to Use Strikethrough Shortcuts in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Google Docs, and Gmail

Strikethrough is a simple yet powerful text effect that draws a line through your words — perfect for marking completed tasks, editing drafts, or showing that something is no longer relevant.

You don’t have to dig through menus to apply it. Every major platform — Microsoft Office, Google Docs, and even Gmail — has quick keyboard shortcuts for it.

What Is Strikethrough?

Strikethrough adds a horizontal line across selected text. It’s often used to:

• Cross out completed items in a list
• Show edits in a document
• Highlight changes without deleting text

You can toggle it on or off using simple keyboard shortcuts — no mouse required.

Strikethrough Shortcuts in Microsoft Office

1. Microsoft Word

Word offers several ways to apply strikethrough, depending on your operating system.

On Windows:

• Select your text.
• Press Alt, H, 4 (tap each key in sequence).
  • Alternative method: Press Ctrl + D to open the Font dialog box → press Alt + K → hit Enter.

On Mac:

• Select your text.
• Press Command + Shift + X.

Pressing the same shortcut again removes the effect.

2. Microsoft Excel

Excel uses one of the easiest shortcuts of all.

On Windows and Mac:

• Select your cell(s) or text inside a cell.
• Press Ctrl + 5.

This toggles strikethrough on and off instantly.
If you prefer menus, open the Format Cells dialog with Ctrl + 1, then tick Strikethrough under the Font tab.

3. Microsoft PowerPoint

PowerPoint also supports keyboard shortcuts, though they vary slightly by system.

On Windows:

• Select the text box or text you want to cross out.
• Press Alt, H, 4.
  • Or open the Font dialog with Ctrl + T, then press Alt + K, and hit Enter.

On Mac:

• Select your text.
• Press Command + T, check Strikethrough, and click OK.

Like Word, pressing the shortcut again removes the line.

4. Microsoft Outlook (Desktop)

Outlook’s message editor uses the same font settings as Word.

On Windows:

• Highlight your text.
• Press Ctrl + D, then Alt + K, then Enter.

On Mac:

• Select your text.
• Press Command + T, tick Strikethrough, and click OK.

This is handy for marking corrections or edited sections in emails before sending.

Strikethrough in Google Workspace

Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides

Google’s web-based office suite keeps it simple.

On Windows:

• Select the text → press Alt + Shift + 5.

On Mac:

• Select the text → press Command + Shift + X.

The same shortcut removes strikethrough when used again.

Strikethrough in Gmail

Even Gmail supports strikethrough when composing messages.

Option 1: Shortcut

• Windows: Select text → press Alt + Shift + 5.
• Mac: Select text → press Command + Shift + X.

Option 2: Menu

• Highlight your text → click the Formatting (A) icon → choose Strikethrough from the list.

This works in both the classic and new Gmail interface.

Quick Reference Table

A Few Extra Tips

• Always select your text first — shortcuts won’t work without selection.
• Ribbon shortcuts like Alt, H, 4 on Windows must be pressed in order, not held together.
• Ctrl + Spacebar in Word or PowerPoint removes all formatting, including strikethrough.
• On Macs, the Font dialog box (Command + T) gives you extra effects like Double Strikethrough, Superscript, or Small Caps.

Conclusion

Once you memorize these few shortcuts, applying strikethrough becomes second nature. Whether you’re editing a Word document, updating an Excel sheet, or writing an email, these quick key combos save time and make your workflow smoother.

A single shortcut — Alt + H + 4 on Windows or Command + Shift + X on Mac — can instantly clean up your text, mark finished items, or make revisions clear. Try them out once, and you’ll never go back to clicking menus again.